Question

Ammonium nitrate is the most commercially important chemical product containing the ammonium ion.

1.List and describe at least two grades of commercially available ammonium nitrate..

2.Why does OSHA require employers to store bulk quantities of ammonium nitrate within a bin that is clean and free of contaminants? Give an example of a contaminant, and describe its interaction with ammonium nitrate..

Your total response must be at least 200 words in length.

Answer 1

1. Ammonium nitrate is available in two grades

Grade A - used in industry

Grade B used for agricultural practises

ammonium nitrate is also available as ammonium nitrate explosive grades.( AN-S ammonium nitrate solution , AN-K ammonium nitrate crystals , AN-E ammonium nitrate used to manufacture emuslion explosives.)

Ammonium nitrate is not used inthe laboratory because of its explosive nature.

Due to the corrosive and reactive properties of ammonium nitrate, and to avoid contamination, galvanized iron, copper, lead, and zinc shall not be used in a bin construction unless suitably protected. Aluminum bins and wooden bins protected against impregnation by ammonium nitrate are permissible. The partitions dividing the ammonium nitrate storage from other products which would contaminate the ammonium nitrate shall be of tight construction.

Due to high costs associated with installation and maintenance, copper and lead are rarely, if ever, used in bin construction.

Bins constructed of wood, aluminum, galvanized iron, copper, zinc, or lead sheet are not recommended, however OSHA does not prohibit bin construction with these materials. Any impermeable coating or cladding for bins constructed with these materials is acceptable, such as two-part epoxy coatings, steel sheet cladding, or sodium silicate.